Ochsenfeld, Bethel Beat Denbigh 4-1

Ochsenfeld continued his mastery of Ingram's Patriots Tuesday, striking out 11 en route to a two-hitter and a 4-1 road victory that kept Bethel (15-2) tied for first place with Kecoughtan in the Peninsula District.

Both of the co-leaders play their final regular-season games Friday. Kecoughtan hosts Hampton and Bethel entertains Ferguson.

Left-hander Ochsenfeld, who improved his record to 7-0 and his earned run average to 1.04, also pitched a two-hitter against Denbigh last month, striking out 16.

``He's such a quality pitcher,'' Ingram said. ``Loading the bases in the second inning off him with one out and not scoring really hurt. I'm glad he'll be gone next year.''

Ochsenfeld snuffed Denbigh's threat in the second inning with consecutive strikeouts of Chad Hagerman and Luis Rivera.

Bethel had taken a 2-0 lead in its half of the second, cashing in on the control woes of Denbigh starter Frank Costa (4-4). The victors did that damage with two outs.

Chris Morant's double was the lone hit of the rally that included four walks by Costa. Two of the free passes came with the bases loaded giving Paul Hall and Ochsenfeld an RBI apiece.

Denbigh ace Derick Champagne, who had pitched seven innings Saturday, relieved Costa at that point. He struck out cleanup batter Mike Revere to end the inning.

Designated hitter Morant provided his second key hit in the fifth, a two-run single for a 4-0 lead.

``We told Chris we were committed to him as our designated hitter five games ago and he has produced some big hits since,'' Bethel coach Skip Bouchard said. ``I think that helped him relax. He has a powerful swing.

``He's only a sophomore. He converted from being a right-handed hitter to a left-handed one when he was 12. Moving him into the lineup has really paid off.''

Bouchard was pleased with Ochsenfeld's mental toughness.

``Chris was very uncomfortable with his footing on the mound and didn't have his best stuff,'' the Bethel coach said. ``He got through this one with his strong arm.''

Denbigh foiled Ochsenfeld's shutout bid in the seventh inning. Rodger Stuffel singled to center field and went all the way to third base when the ball eluded Bethel's Sim Hailey.